"Akrotiri" (the Cape) is the common name of the peninsula that lies to the north-east of the city of Hania and administratively constitutes the Municipality of Akrotiri of the county of Kydonia of the prefecture of Hania.
The official name of the peninsula is "MELECHAS" while its ancient name was "Kyamon".
Its 10.000 residents live in around 20 villages and settlements. The town hall is at the village of Pithari 6.5 km away from Hania.
Other villages are : Sternes, Horafakia, Kounoupidiana, Mouzouras, Korakies, Argoylides, Aroni, Agios Nikolaos, Pazinos (or Paxinos), Anemomyloi, Marathi, Kathiana, Kalathas, Kampani, Stavros, Kalorouma, Hordaki, Rizosklopo, Agia Zoni and Profitis Ilias.
The road network is quite extensive and in good condition, reaching all the villages and beaches of Akrotiri. There is also a very frequent bus connection with Hania.
The biggest part of the area is flat except from the eastern side which is rocky with a rugged hill range (the highest being Sklopa: 528m high)-giving the impression of high mountains - and pierced by a few gorges that end to the sea in some very scenic rocky coves.
An other characteristic of those hills are the numerous caves that can be found there, with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites sometimes with amazing shapes. Findings of arcaeological and historical interest prove that the caves were used as a place of worship as well as a refuge from the invasions of pirates.
Gorges
Kalathas (8km from Hania)
Porofarago (14km from Hania)
Agiofarago (18km from Hania)
Agios Antonios (18km from Hania)
Poro Mavre (16km from Hania)
Caves
Lera /Stavros area
Arkalospilio /3km from the M.Gouvernetou
Aherospilio & Agios Ioannis /
near M.Katholiko
Arkoudospilio
Koumarospilio
The coast line around Akrotiri is rocky and steep, with only a few sandy beaches, protected in small bays.
There are also three small islets very close to the coast. The most important is the islet of Souda with a Venetian fortress and a light house.
The beaches are very clean and awarded evey single year with the blue flag.
Beaches
Kalathas /9km from Hania
Agios Onoufrios /8km from Hania
Tersanas & Maherida / 12km from Hania
Stavros / 15km from Hania
Marathi / 16km from Hania
Akrotiri justifies its name as "The Holly Mountain of Crete" due to its monasteries and churches. The most important are:
Holly Trinity - Tzangaroloi
15.5 km from Hania. Named after its founders - end of 16th century - Jeremiah and Laurentius Giagarolo brothers from a noble Venetian family.
Lady of the Angels - Gouverneto
Built on a small plateau at 260m a.s.l. 18km from Hania. One of the oldest monasteries in Crete (15th century)
Agios Ioannis the Hermit - Katholiko
3km from M.Gouveneto is considered to be the oldest monastery in Crete (6th-10th century) with hermitages like those of Meteora.
Nuns’ Monastery of Agios Ioannis
At Korakies, 7km from Hania - 17th century
Agios Ioannis Eleimon (merciful)
17th century
M. dependency of Agios Antonios & Temple in the bear's cave (Arkoudiotissa)
near Katholiko monastery
Cavernous Church of Agios Georgios Apidiotis
in the gorge of Mavre, near Pazinos village.
All the monasteries are worth a visit as they are very close to the hotels and very easy to access.
In the area of Akrotiri have been found also remnants from the Minoan and Hellenistic period. At the south-eastern side near the village of Sternes, findings prove the existence of a town called MINOA.
